The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1887-01-21
CIIAPTEI: VIII.
THE TEDIUM or CANT.

To really enjoy life in d camp Of instruc-
ton requires peculiar cast of mind. 1t re-
auires genuine liking for a treatlmill round
of merely mechanical duties; it requires a
taste for rising in the chill and cherries
dawn, at the unwclcome summons of revelle,
to long day filed with tircsome routine Of
laborious drills, alternating with tedious roll
calls and wearisome E,aradcs and inspections;
it requires pleased contcntmcnt with walks
continually cut short by the camp guard, and
with nn,uscments limited to rough horse play
on the parade ground and dull games Of cards
by suffering candles in tho tent.
These were tho trials that tested Harry
Glcn's resolution sorely. When he enlisted
with the intention of re<leenling himself no
desired would be given by a prompt march
to the field and a speedy entrance into an en-
fragment. lie nerved himself strenuously
for tho dreadful ordeal of battle, but this be-
came a continually receding point Tho Bit
tor defeat ut Bull Run was bearing fruit in
months of painstaking preparation before
ve,turing upon another collision.
Il do wish tho regiment would get orders
TO move" said almost hourly each one Of a
half million inpatient youths fretting IN
camps of instruction through the long sum.
mer Of 1861
II do wish the regiment would get orders
to move," said Harry Glen angrily ono
evening, on coming into the surgeons tent to
have his blistcrcd hands dressed. He had
been on fatigue duty during the day, and tho
fatigue squad had had an obstinate struggle
with all old oak stump, which .listigussl the
parade ground, and resisted removal like an
Irish tenant.
II am Willingness, l can say am anxious,
even-to 60 into BATTLE" he continued, while
DR.. Paul Dcnslow laid pastcrs Of simple
verato On tho abraded palms and then
swathctl them in bandages. 'Anytlng is
preferable to this chopping tough stumps with
dull nix AMI drilling six hours n day while
tho Thermometer hangs around the nlncties."
II admit that there arc things which would
seem pleasanter to u young man Of yourtcm-
permanent and previous habits" said the sur
geon, kindly. SHIFT over into that arm
stool. which YOU will find easier. and rest u
little while. Julius, bring in thai box Of
cigars"
While Julius, who resenblcl his ilustriouS
nan'csake as little in celebrity of movement as
no did in complexion, was coming. the sur
iscon prepared IL paper, which he presented
10 Harry, saying:
"Thcrc, tllatll keep you Off duty tonsor-
row. After that. we'll see what can br done"
Julius arrived with tho cigars us tarily us
ii he had to cross u Ruhiron in the back
room. Two were lighted, and the surgeon
settled himself for Il chat.
"llavc You become tired of soldier lifc::''
asked he, Studying iIarvy's fac" for the effect
Of thy question.
II cannot say that have brc"nr tired of
it," said Harry, frankly, "hccacsr m,,st nd.
init that never had the slightest inclination,
to it. had less fancy for hccoini,,, Il sol.
dicr than for amy other honora,l, pursui,
that you could mention"
Then You only joined the army
"From sense of duty merely" SAID Harry
knocking the ashes from his cigar
AM. the physical and other discomfort.
now begin to weigh nearly as much rs tina
sense of duty
NOT at all. Ii only seems to me that Their,
are more of them than are absolutely essen
tial to the performance OF that duty.
want to bc of service to tho country. but
would prefer that that service h.. not mad
unnecessarily onerous."
Il can make Your lot il the srrvn" easier,
laid DR.. Drnslow.
"lndod. How so!'
by having You appointed my hospits
steward have not secured one vet. and Il,
man Who Is acting rs such is SD inte,nlrrat
that feel Il fresh sense Of escape with ever
'lay that passes without his installing Il,
"xal'c acid for EPSON salts, to the .les,ructio
II so1nc earnest hut constipatcd yy,n
patriots whole digestive visccra.
III you accept this poSition,' continued til
surgeon, Hanging away has refractory cigar i
disgust. a'u rising to get fresh one, "vn
Will h,v" tn" best rank and pay of any no.
commissioned officer in the regiment: bette
indeed, than tha Of .rrou,l lieutenant. Y,
Viii haV" your quarters here with me. and |
'onpeii>d 10 a>>oriat' with no on. hut IN
thus reducing Your ,li>aSrrcal!r ,oupaniu,
at single stroke, to one. And You will /,
cape finally from all sub>ervnrn.y to Lien
Pancake. or indeed 10 any other officer in Il